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5 Minutes, 5 Questions With… Curtis Alcutt, author of Bullets & Ballads
JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Curtis Alcutt, author of Bullets & Ballads
(Alcutt Enterprises, LLC)
Bullets & Ballads is an erotic, psychological drama revolving around musical genius Apollo Knight, as he navigates a world laced with love, deceit, lust of the highest order and pain. Enter Nyrobi, a beautiful, wealthy, and sexually liberated older woman who ignites Apollo’s passion. Along comes Tricia, a sexy, sensual, possessive songstress who covets her producer’s heart. Follow along as their worlds collide. This story is sure to massage your emotions and kindle your cravings…
Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the idea and inspiration to write Bullets & Ballads?
Curtis Alcutt: After writing my first novel, “Dyme Hit List,” which was an erotic romance, I wanted to do something a little different. In “Bullets & Ballads“, I focused more on the emotional state of the characters than on strict eroticism–even though there is plenty of heat in the story. Also, I wanted to do a story related to the music industry that wasn’t your everyday, stereotypical hip hop tale.
JP: Bullets & Ballads crosses a lot of different genres. How are you able to write a multi-genre novel and stay true to the story?
CA: When I first decided to write novels, I had in mind the idea to write in a hybrid style. I like the challenge of blending together different genres in order to make my stories stand out and appeal to a broader audience. My favorite mixture is erotica and mainstream fiction or urban fiction. For instance “Bullets & Ballads” digs deeply into the psyche of the main characters, while injecting several very erotic and urban elements. At the same time, the story manages to stay on track until the surprising ending.
JP: As an author, what are the keys to your success that lead to Bullets & Ballads getting out to the public?
CA: In no particular order: perseverance, determination, sacrifice and discipline. Without adhering to those principles, there is no way would I have ever finished this novel. Fortunately, I learned what it takes to complete a novel after my experience writing “Dyme Hit List.” The lessons learned from that experience served me well.
JP: As an author, what is your writing process? How long did it take for you to start and finish Bullets & Ballads?
CA: It took me about six months to complete the first draft for “Bullets & Ballads” and an additional nine months of edits and rewrites. While working on “Bullets & Ballads“, I had three other novels going at the same time. My process for writing is to just write. Once I get an idea for a story, I let my mind take over and go with the flow. If I get stuck, I leave one story alone and go work on another one. That greatly helps me with writers block.
JP: What’s next for Curtis Alcutt?
CA: Next for me is to finish my next novel, Sins of a Siren, which should be done around the end of the year. After that, I am going to take a break and finish the screenplay for Dyme Hit List. In between those two projects, my “Secret” project, co-written with my mentor, author Deatri King-Bey, will be ready for release. I can’t tell you much about it right now, but it is going to be a BLOCKBUSTER!
You can keep up with the latest on my writing career and purchase autographed copies of my novels by going to my site www.mralcutt.net I can also be found on www.myspace.com/mralcutt and on http://www.tagged.com/mypage.html.
Also, I am President of the literary foundation www.writeway2freedom.com co-founded by author Paula Edwards and myself. Our mission is to help spread literacy across the nation, especially targeting our youth. We host free writers workshops monthly at the official home of WriteWay2Freedom, Carol’s Books 1913 Del Paso Blvd, Sacramento, CA 95815 (916)565-3845.
If you can’t attend a workshop, we also have a book version of our workshops entitled, “Your Roadmap to a Book.” It is a pocket guide that shows the aspiring writer the steps to get your book from concept to the bookshelves.
Thanks for your time, Joey.
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P.S.S. If you want to be feature in a 5 Minutes, 5 Questions With… series, email me at joey.pinkney@gmail.com or myspace.com/joeyreviews
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5 Minutes, 5 Questions With… Essence Best Seller Tracy Brown, author of Twisted
JoeyPinkney.com Exclusive Interview
5 Minutes, 5 Questions With…
Essence Best Seller Tracy Brown, author of Twisted
(St. Martin’s Press)
An extremely fed up Celeste Styles sets her beloved salon, Dime Piece, on fire in an attempt to head South and start her life anew, away from her married boyfriend Rah-lo, a dealer. Meanwhile, Ishmael, Rah-lo’s business partner, best friend and confidante, tries to forget his feelings for Celeste with a relationship with Nina-and a rekindled affair with Robin. Tracy Brown keeps the drama flowing and the pages turning as the love triangle converges explosively in Atlanta.
Joey Pinkney: Where did you get the idea and inspiration to write Twisted?
Tracy Brown: I wrote part one (Dime Piece) in 2003. The ending left many readers eager for a sequel. Everyone wanted to know who burned down the shop and what happened to all the characters. I penned the sequel in order to answer those questions.
JP: What sets Twisted apart from other novels in its genre?
TB: I think each of my novels adds something special to the genre of urban lit. I try each time to do something unique that sets my work apart from other novels. Twisted was no different. The main character, Celeste Styles, is a mistress for most of the storyline. Despite that negative label, readers cheer for her and like her character. I think that’s different. Usually the mistress is described us some cold, cruel bitch. Celeste is a likable character who makes some questionable decisions.
JP: As an author, what is your writing process? How long did it take for you to start and finish Twisted?
TB: I write mostly late at night. Once the house is quiet and the kids have left me alone, I can focus on being creative. Twisted took me three months to write. I changed the ending several times before deciding on the one we published.
JP: You have a huge following. What have your readers expressed that they like about your books that keep them coming back for more?
TB: My stories aren’t typical or predictable. The characters come to life in the story. I try to be different from all the other authors out there. Although I am a fan of several urban writers, I want my stories to be unique.
In my first novel Black, there is a teen pregnancy. Unlike the typical urban drama, the young male takes responsibility for his child and a saga unfolds as these two young lovers try to defy the odds. In Dime Piece and the sequel Twisted, Celeste Styles is a mistress with a heart. Again, this is different from the average story.
Criminal Minded was a story of friendship, and there was a focus on the grandfather, Papa, and the wisdom he imparts. In White Lines, I tried to tell the true story of the drug game from several different perspectives. In the end the story is about love and redemption, so the usual elements of urban lit are there with an unexpected twist in each novel.
JP: What’s next for Tracy Brown?
TB: I’m working on a novel called Snapped. I’m very excited about it! I think that the readers who loved the saga White Lines will adore Snapped. It’ll be released in early 2009, so stay tuned.
www.tracy-brown.com
http://www.myspace.com/blackbutterfly0608
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P.S.S. If you want to be feature in a 5 Minutes, 5 Questions With… series, email me at joey.pinkney@gmail.com or http://myspace.com/joeyreviews
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